Church and State
Christian Corrmunity; Beyond Appearances
By Bob Graham
- Guest Commentry
As you view this issue of the
Whetstone, do you find that there is
something missing? Does the news
paper somehow seem more secular
this week? Can’t figure out what is
different? Read on... From its incep
tion the vision of the Whetstone has
been to serve as a vehicle by which
we sharpen each other spiritually
as well as intellectually just as iron
sharpens iron. The mission statement
of this paper is Proverbs 27:17 and it
is clearly noted on every issue. The
challenge of this commentary to us
all is to examine ourselves!
As the 18“' century philosopher,
Voltaire once stated, “if you would
converse with me, you must first
define your terms” When you think
about it; to begin any di.ssertation, we
must create a logical and agreeable
starting point. Therefore, for the sake
of this commentary let us define two
terms: Christian and Community.
The dictionaiy defines Christian
as “one who professes belief in tlie
teachings of Jesus Christ” If w'e
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God and have a personal relationship
with him that is true, but there needs
to be action on our part too! We
are called to be salt and light to the
world. To avoid a long treatise, we
will use this definition of“Christian”
here. “Community,” the dictionary
Th« Monlrakt CoUag* 8tu«anl Voica
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Andrew Baird
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schcwl is in session. The viesvs expressed in
this publication iirc not neccssiu-ily the views
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Page 2, Nov. 15 2002
defines as, “a group of people with
a common characteristic or interest
living together within a larger soci
ety”. Put these two words together
and you have a reasonably good defi
nition for what Christian Community
should be at Montreat College.
So, is Christian community
merely the way we appear to others?
Let us consider two questions; first,
without scripture or religious articles
in the Whetstone, would it still be
a ‘Christian’ newspaper? As you
contemplate that one, let’s take that
one step further; if we didn’t have
‘Christian’ t-shirts, or a fish on our
car and our music wasn’t ‘Christian’
are we still good Christians? The title
of the song, “They will know we are
Christians by our love” 1 think is the
answer to both questions. The proof
comes from within us through the
Holy Spirit! It should be as involun
tary as breathing.
What was missing in the Whet
stone? You probably didn’t even
notice, but the verse of the week
and the segment Living Waters have
been intentionally excluded from
this issue. Why? to help make the
point that we must all be person
ally involved and not rest on the
appearance that we are Christians or
a Christian college. It’s deeper than
looks!
For years 1 have heard the term
apathetic (having or showing little
or no feeling or emotion) used to
describe our college community. In
light of the above definition of Chris
tian community, how can this be
true? I never thought I was apathetic
but 1 find myself convicted. 1 often
want to Just do my job and go home
and forget about Montreal. I know
students who feel similarly who just
want to go to class, do their home
work and forget about Montreal.
Search yourself and answer truth
fully, are you ever guilty of being
apathetic? Guess what? We are ALL
missing the big picture. It’s not about
US and what we want! It’s about
HIM! Staff and faculty; we are called
to be salt and light to the students
and the community. Students; you
are called to be .salt and light to the
staff and faculty and the community.
Christiaas; we should be anything
but apathetic! We have the most
exciting news in the world to share!
As we prepare to give thanks this
month for God’s many blessings
and next month to give thanks for
His great gift to us all, 1 urge you
to search your hearts and ask how
you can share this excitement with
others. If as a college community we
reached out in Clirist and embraced
those around us during the holidays
what an eternal impact we could
have! Opportunities for shai'ing
Christ’s love and redemption are
great both here and beyond the gate.
We could reach out to tlie orphans
at the Presbyterian Home who have
no family for the holidays, help with
Operation Christmas Child to reach
children around the globe, mini.s-
ter to the homeless at the shelters
in Asheville, or just be there for a
roommate or colleague who could
use a real friend. Look around; the
world is desperate for what we have
to offer in Christ!
SGA Minutes
By Kaylin Fisher
November 4,2002
Called to order at 7:37 p.m.
absent Sarah Hicks (imex-
cused) Toney, Graham (excused)
Ashley Presson became the oftical
treasurer and Toney Johnson became
the offical Secretary
7:40 Vince arranged for a coffee
house with President Lindtx:rg Dec.
5th
7:43 Recycling Convo speaker.
Don Yelton, made copies of
Montreat/Black Mountain recycling
proposal. Don Yelton volunteered
his time. SGA discussed possible
work-study position for next semes
ter focusing solely on recycling.
McGregor girls will start putting
out recycling bins and bags. Other
dorm reps will investigate what can
be done in their dorms. Lindsay King
mentioned driving recyclables in a
big run to the Asheville recycling
center.
8;03 Graham Otley will arrange
Martin Luther King, Jr. convo for
next year.
8:04 Service project with Alan
Edwards and possibly with the Mon
treal Church and Howerton cafeteria
involved discussed. Need date. Four
activities: leaves, mulching, washing
signs, clean up.
8:08 Lyndsay Mayer and Ashley
Presson will work on a possible
alternate use for food that is unused
at the cafeteria.
8:09 Christmas Dance, Saturday
December 7. Benefit for kids (Lind
say)
8:12 Open forum technology
convo will be held Tuesday Novem
ber 12 during regular convo time.
Oiganized by Vince Norfleet.
8:13 New busine.ss; George
White has presented idea for start
ing a coffee shop at school as a sleep
deprivation solution. Belk is a pos
sible location. Tim Tyson will work
with him and make a proposal.
Meeting adjourned.8:27
E-mail us@: whetstone@montreat.edu
Letters to tfie Presic(mt
As someone who has taken many youth groups to Montreal Youth Con- :
Terences in the summer, 1 have wondered why a stroiiger appeaHs not made
to youth at those conferences. If seemed to me a wonderful opportunity for
Montreal professors and leaders to make a visible invitation on stage and
around during the week to thousands of high school youth who love Mon
treal. The college could be seen as a way to live out the youtli conference in '
a learning college environment. It seems the opportunity is so obvious tliat:
it is intentionally skipped.
David Jones, Pastor
Harpeth Presbyterian Church
Brentwood, Tennes.see
David:
Thanks for your question, and your keen insight into the great poten
tial, which exists between the summer youth conferences of the Mountain
Retreat Association and Montreal College. Please understand that, as a new-,
comer to the valley, my response will reflect only a llmitefl undcRitanding of
what the ptactico and policies of the past have been.
Just this last week I was invited to bring greeting to the Board ofDirec-
tors of the Mountain Retreat Association! During that time Twas able to
share-with the Board that one of the very first phone calls! received afterl
accepted the presidency of the college was from Mr. Emile Dieth, president
of the Conference Center. Mr. Dieth arid I continue to have conversations
on a regular basis, discussing ways in which the MRA and the College can
work together, supporting each other’s objectives and goals.
It is my understanding that during the summer conference season, six
weeks ai-e dedicated to youth conferences by the MRA. During those six
weeks, over seven thousand higlt school youth converge upon Montreal for
a time of recreation, study, reflection and spiritual renewal. As 1 have said in
many venues this fall, 1 camiot imagine a college or univereity in the nation
that would not be ecstatic to have that type of exposure! t
I have suggested to Mr. Dieth that Montreal College hold a “College
Fair” during the fi-ee time each Wednesday: afternoon aflthpse: weeks.! will
personally send letters of invitation to the presidents of Presbyterian Church
(USA) affiliated colleges in the region. A college fair will only be successful
if the students can learn about several colleges, understanding each school’s
unique mission and distinctives. If the other schwls: helicye :there ,iS: value.
In contacting seven thousand Presbylerian youth during the summer weeks,
then this will he a great boost to the success of the youth conferences, to the
recruiting work of the Presbyterian schools, and to: the, specific goals and ^
objectives of Montreal College.
John S. Lindbenj
Questions for the President can be submitted to vvhetstone@montreat.edu
..
r
Where is it?
....
'i :i'f .ill i f •• iAilll
entertainment
fall photos
disciple rocks “the
house” c-
flag football gets smokf
sports
superman or tom
meet montreat
The Whetstone